Trump signs order enabling tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba

Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday laying the groundwork to impose tariffs on goods from countries that provide oil to Cuba, the White House said. The order declares a national emergency and establishes a process for the US secretaries of state and commerce to assess tariffs, but the White House has yet to specify tariff rates.

A White House statement cited Cuba’s ties to hostile powers, naming Russia, Hamas and Hezbollah, to explain the new tariff policy. "These actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to US national security and foreign policy, requiring immediate response to protect American citizens and interests," the statement said.

The article noted that Cuba is an import-dependent Caribbean island nation of about 8 million inhabitants with an $85bn GDP similar to that of Rhode Island, and that the Communist party has ruled the country for six decades. The administration had pressured other countries to stop providing oil ahead of the tariff announcement, and Trump has tussled with Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum for weeks over the issue.

Sheinbaum insisted Pemex will continue to fill contractual obligations with Havana and may offer oil for humanitarian reasons, saying: "The humanitarian aid will continue, as it does to other countries. Mexico has always shown solidarity with the entire world. They are sovereign decisions." Sheinbaum acknowledged earlier this week that Mexican oil shipments have paused for the moment.

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